Trade license registration (zivnostensky list or zivno) is how freelancers legally work in the Czech Republic. It includes getting your trade license online on the platform, registering at the zivnostensky urad (Trade License Office), and completing other legal steps such as social insurance, health insurance, and income tax registration.
To begin, submit your application at the Trade License Office in the Czech Republic and take care of the follow-up steps to avoid unexpected penalties or missed tax filings.
You can register your trade license:
Online via the official Czech Trade Licensing portal or through agencies like Pexpats
In person at your local Zivnostensky urad (Trade License Office) — bring your passport, proof of address, and business activity description
Follow these clear steps to register your Czech trade license (zivnost) in 2026 and run your freelance business legally.
Step 1: How to Register a Trade License (Zivno) in the Czech Republic
Your first step is to register your zivnost and activate your ICO (Identifikacni cislo osoby – business ID number).
Once your Czech trade license is registered, you will receive the official confirmation certificate of your trade license registration in the Czech Republic.
The registration certificate will include information such as your full name, date of birth, business address, your business number (IČO), and a list of the business activities you're authorized to perform.
However, completing the following registrations is important to avoid debts and fines from the Czech tax office (financni urad) and other authorities.
Step 2: Register for Czech Social Tax (Socialni pojisteni)
After receiving your ICO, you must register for social insurance (socialni pojisteni). This will generate your unique social tax number, which you’ll need to make monthly contributions and file your income tax (dan z prijmu) report the next year.
Once officially registered, you’ll receive a confirmation with your social insurance number.
Step 3: Health Insurance Registration (Zdravotni pojisteni)
Health insurance is mandatory for most freelancers in the Czech Republic. After social tax registration, you must register for Czech public health insurance (zdravotni pojisteni).
Once approved, you’ll receive a Temporary Health Insurance Certificate, which works the same as the Health Insurance card and allows you to access all healthcare services and hospitals in the Czech Republic.
Important for employees with side income (Pexpats advice):
If you already have employment and register a trade license for side income, you must also register your health insurance and Social Tax as secondary income. Otherwise, both Authorities will classify registrations as primary and require you to pay the minimum monthly contributions.
Step 4: Order Your EHIC Card (For EU Citizens)
If you’re an EU citizen, you can now order your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) after registering for health insurance. This card provides full coverage in the Czech Republic and emergency coverage in all EU countries.
Note: If you have family members living in the Czech Republic, you must also register them under your health Insurance.
Step 5: Monthly Payments – Social and Health Insurance Contributions
If your zivnost is your main source of income, you’ll need to pay monthly deposits for social tax and health insurance. These payments begin in your first year and must be made on time to avoid fines or delays in your tax return.
If your trade license is your secondary income (e.g. you also have full-time employment in Czech Republic), you won’t pay deposits in your first year — but you’ll still need to pay your contributions after declaring your income tax.
If you’re a student under 26, retired, or on maternity leave, your trade license should also be registered as secondary income (vedlejší činnost) for both social security (ČSSZ) and public health insurance (VZP or another provider).
You can learn more about secondary income taxation here.
Step 6: Income Tax Registration and Getting Your DIC (Tax Identification Number)
Next, register for income tax (dan z prijmu) at your local financni urad (tax office). You’ll be assigned a DIC (danove identifikacni cislo), which is your Tax Identification Number (TIN) in the Czech Republic.
As of 1.1.2024, DIC registration is not mandatory, so the tax office may say it’s not required. However, for foreigners, it’s important to have a DIC for proper tax filing and communication with the tax office.
Ask to register voluntarily and explain your business needs. Once confirmed, you’ll receive your DIC registration certificate with your Tax number.
Step 7: VAT Registration (DPH) for EU Invoices
You only need to register for Light VAT (DPH) if you invoice companies registered in another EU country. If so, register with the tax office (financni urad) and begin submitting monthly VAT reports.
Although you’ll invoice with 0% VAT, and won’t pay VAT to the Czech authorities but reporting is still mandatory.
Once registered, you’ll receive a VAT number.
Note: Missing VAT registration or monthly reports may result in fines up to CZK 500,000.
Verify Your Trade License, VAT and Business Information
After completing your trade license registration, you can verify that your business information has been correctly published in the Czech public registers.
Checking the public records confirms that your trade license is active, your VAT registration (if applicable) has been published, and your registered business information is accurate and up to date.
You can verify your own business or check another Czech business using Pexpats Business Search. Search by IČO, DIČ, business name or full name to verify publicly available business information.
Available information may include:
Trade license status
Registered business activities
VAT registration status
Business registration details
Registered business address
Data Box ID
Frequently Asked Questions About Trade Licenses in the Czech Republic
Yes. A Czech trade license (živnost) can be registered electronically or in person at a Any local Trade License Office (živnostenský úřad). The application can also be submitted on your behalf by an authorized representative with a Power of Attorney.
The required documents depend on your citizenship, Czech residence status and the type of trade you are registering.
Common documents include:
Valid passport or ID
Trade license application
Proof that you can use your registered business address
Criminal record document for foreign applicants when required based on their citizenship and residence status
Proof of Czech residence permission for foreign nationals who are required to have it
Proof of professional qualifications for craft, regulated or other trades requiring professional competence
Documents for a responsible representative if one is required for your trade
A free trade does not require professional qualifications.
For foreigners, the exact criminal-record and residence documents differ depending on whether the applicant is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, non-EU citizen or falls under another residence category.
If you are a non-EU citizen, your Czech trade license (živnost) expires when your visa or residence permit expires. You must extend your trade license every time you extend your visa or residence permit.
If you do not extend your trade license before it expires, the trade license expires and you must go through the full trade license registration process again as a new registration.
The official list of Czech trade activities is defined by the Czech Trade Licensing Act and its related regulations.
Czech trades are divided into four main categories:
Free trades
Craft trades
Regulated trades
Licensed trades
You can check the official trade classifications and requirements through the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Czech Trade Licensing Register.
You can register your Czech trade license in person at any Trade License Office (živnostenský úřad) in the Czech Republic.
You do not have to register only at the Trade License Office corresponding to your home or business address.
Czech Trade License Terms (English–Czech Glossary)
Understanding basic Czech terms can help you fill out forms, communicate with authorities, and follow the rules related to your trade license. Here’s
a quick list of important words with their Czech translations:
Czech Trade License — Terms Used in Registration
English Term | Czech Term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Trade License | Živnost / Živnostenské oprávnění | Legal permission to operate as a self-employed person |
Trade License Register | Živnostenský rejstřík | Official register where trade licenses are listed |
Self-employed person | OSVČ | Czech term for a self-employed person or freelancer. |
Business Activity | Předmět podnikání | Type of work you register on the trade license |
Identification Number | IČO | Business identification number in the Czech Republic. |
Tax Identification Number | DIČ | Tax identification number used for income tax and VAT in the Czech Republic. |
Health Insurance | Zdravotní pojištění | Mandatory public health insurance |
Social Security | Sociální pojištění | Mandatory social insurance contributions |
VAT | DPH | Value Added Tax |
Data Box | Official digital mailbox for communication with Czech authorities. |
This blog is regularly updated with 2026 rules and practical steps for freelancers in the Czech Republic, covering everything from trade license registration to changes in zivnost and tax office procedures.
🔗 Official Sources
Act No. 455/1991 Coll., Trade Licensing Act (živnostenský zákon) Primary Czech legislation governing eligibility and the conditions for operating a trade. Relevant to this page: § 6 — general conditions for operating a trade, together with provisions governing foreign persons and professional competence.
View Act No. 455/1991 Coll. on e-Sbírka
Ministry of Industry and Trade (Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu) Official trade-licensing procedure for foreign natural persons who are citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
EU, EEA & Swiss citizens — official trade licensing guide
Czech Public Administration Portal (gov.cz) Official information about eligibility, general conditions, professional competence and establishing a Czech trade.
Establishing a Trade Licence — gov.cz
Ministry of Industry and Trade (Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu) Official trade-licensing procedure for foreign natural persons who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
